Blair rules out foot-and-mouth public inquiry

A public inquiry into the foot-and-mouth crisis was ruled out today by the Prime Minister.

In his final Commons question time as Tory Leader, William Hague pressed Mr Blair to hold a public inquiry into the outbreak.

But Mr Blair said he did not accept that it had to be a "public tribunal inquiry" and insisted the eradication of the disease remained the "number one priority".

The Government has already said that it will hold an inquiry once the disease has been eliminated but has come under heavy pressure to hold public hearings.

Mr Hague said: "You have said you accept the need for a proper inquiry into the foot-and-mouth disaster.

"Do you agree a proper inquiry must be a public inquiry?" he asked to Tory cheers.

To Tory jeers, Mr Blair replied: "I don't agree that it has to be a public tribunal inquiry for the reasons given by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, which said it was sensible in order to produce an inquiry quicker, that we would have a different type of inquiry.

"We will have that inquiry and we will publish the results of that inquiry.

"But we have said also, in line again with what the Royal College has said, that it is better to have the inquiry after we have eradicated the disease, which must remain our number one priority."